Chapter 409: Ascending to the Divine Realm
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“I must be the most diligent deity ever.”
“Who else spoils their believers as much as I do?”
“Every word they utter, I make it happen, not a single one amiss!”
“Surely, within three days, the entire world will know just how effective I am!” Lu Chao Chao clapped her tiny hands, looking entirely pleased with herself.
The little one rubbed her eyes as the first glimmers of dawn stretched across the sky.
There was some noise outside.
Lu Chao Chao had no intention of going back to sleep. She fumbled her way into her clothes, clumsily put on her shoes and socks, and then pushed the door open.
Waving off the maids, she headed straight for the kitchen.
No matter where she was, the first place she made herself familiar with was always the kitchen.
Smoke curled in the air, and mist filled the bustling kitchen.
The cook was simmering fish soup, filling the room with a rich, fragrant aroma.
Another chef was making pancakes, rolling up his sleeves as he worked. The white, plump pancakes sizzled in the pan, turning golden and crispy in moments.
“I’ll go fetch some tofu. The Old Madam loves it in her soup,” one of the kitchen staff said as they stepped out.
Lu Chao Chao dragged over a small stool and stood beside the stove.
The chubby cook was startled but, seeing that the little princess wasn’t being haughty, he bravely asked, “Princess, would you like to try today’s freshly made shrimp buns and sea urchin dumplings?”
The Southern Kingdom, being close to the sea, was abundant in seafood, but these shrimp buns and sea urchin dumplings were a delicacy so fresh it could make one’s eyebrows tingle.
Knowing she was young, the chef only plated a single bun, three dumplings, and a bowl of steaming, milky-white fish soup, garnished with a few bright green scallions.
“This fish soup has been simmering since before dawn—it’s delicious,” he said.
Lu Chao Chao sat at a small table, carefully holding her porcelain bowl. She took a sip, and her eyebrows nearly soared from delight.
The heat stung her tongue, but the taste was so good she couldn’t bear to waste even a single drop—she swallowed it all in one go.
Her eyes sparkled.
With a big bite, the shrimp bun burst with juice, its thin skin barely holding in the fresh, plump filling.
“Wow, wow, wow!” Lu Chao Chao’s eyes lit up.
The sea urchin dumpling was even more divine—it nearly made her jump with joy.
Seeing that the cook had his back turned, Lu Chao Chao quickly devoured her breakfast, then wobbled forward, holding out her empty bowl.
“More!”
The cook paused for a moment.
Half an hour later, the gluttonous little princess waddled out of the kitchen, holding her belly. She turned to her maid and declared, “The chef’s skills are excellent—reward him!”
The maid smiled, nodding. “Yes, his monthly salary will be doubled.”
The delighted chef quickly bowed in thanks.
Lu Chao Chao then headed to the front courtyard to pay respects to her father, mother, and grandmother.
But they were already dressed and seemed to be preparing to leave.
“In two days, Nan Zhi Yi’s ascension ceremony will take place. No doubt they plan to make a show of it to put us in our place,” Madam Xu said coolly, with a trace of distaste in her eyes.
She had no fondness for the Southern Kingdom.
Everyone there, from the highest official to the lowliest servant, was too calculating and materialistic.
“Chao Chao, you don’t have to go and endure their nonsense.” Lu Yan Shu gently pinched her small ponytail, his voice warm and steady.
“Okay, big brother!”
The little girl responded sweetly and obediently, looking like the perfect little angel.
Lu Yan Shu’s eyelid twitched. Since when was his sister so well-behaved? Was she scheming something big?
Just then, the carriage arrived at the manor gates, and Lu Yan Shu could only entrust Xie Jing Xi to keep a close eye on her.
But Lu Chao Chao merely smiled and asked, “Uncle Jing Xi, where is Brother Yu Zhou?”
“I want to go play with him!”
Xie Jing Xi pointed to a nearby room. “He’s been acting strange since he came back last night. I don’t know what kind of madness has gotten into him.”
He sighed. “I really don’t want to stay in the Southern Kingdom any longer—afraid it’ll corrupt Yu Zhou. He’s not very bright to begin with, and now he’s been babbling all day about seeing deities and dragons crying.”
Lu Chao Chao guiltily scratched her head and remained silent.
Zhu Mo had cried all night after losing his dignity.
She made her way to Xie Yu Zhou’s courtyard and knocked lightly. He immediately pulled her inside, looking secretive.
“I’ve packed my bags. When do we leave?”
Seeing that he was fully prepared, Lu Chao Chao decided not to stop him. After all, she wasn’t going up to overthrow the Divine Realm—if she wanted to hide, no one could find her.
She just wanted to check on her disciples.
Storing his luggage in her space, she grabbed Xie Yu Zhou’s hand and disappeared from the room.
Finding a secluded spot, Lu Chao Chao said, “The Southern Capital is too conspicuous. I’ll open the Heavenly Gate somewhere else.”
She formed a hand seal, and a fiery-red mark flickered between her brows.
An immense power surged through the land, making all nearby livestock cower in fear, trembling against the ground.
She sent a surge of spiritual energy into the sky, where a vortex of divine aura instantly appeared.
Celestial music rang out, and before Xie Yu Zhou could react, Lu Chao Chao had already pulled him into the Divine Realm.
When he came to his senses, he found himself standing atop a vast sea of clouds.
In the distance, the towering Southern Celestial Gate loomed.
Xie Yu Zhou gawked, his mouth forming an ‘O’. “We… we’re here? I actually made it up here?!”
“Mother of mercy, blessed Bodhisattva, I’ve done it! I’ve ascended! My ancestors will be so proud!!” He jumped excitedly but kept his voice down.
“Shh, we can’t let them recognize us.”
Lu Chao Chao casually pinched his face, transforming his youthful features into those of an immortal attendant.
She, too, shifted her form, appearing as a little celestial girl holding a flower basket.
Standing together, they looked just like divine attendants.
With that, Lu Chao Chao confidently strode toward the Southern Celestial Gate, Xie Yu Zhou following behind.
The towering gate was shrouded in mist, and the silver-armored divine guards standing watch were imposing, their piercing eyes capable of seeing through any illusion.
Lu Chao Chao let them scan her.
“We are attendants under True Monarch Ling Xiao, here to deliver divine wine to High God Zong Bai.” She shook the bamboo basket in her hands.
She also pulled out a token bearing Ling Xiao’s insignia.
Ah, how convenient.
Years ago, when Ling Xiao and his wife had a quarrel, she had picked up quite a few useful items.
The divine guard glanced at the basket, the rich aroma of celestial wine wafting out, and nodded approvingly. “I heard True Monarch Ling Xiao and his wife have had a child. Congratulations.”
“But High God Zong Bai has been imprisoned…”
Lu Chao Chao’s pupils shrank, though her expression remained unchanged.
“We only wish to leave him a small offering of wine. We won’t cause any trouble.”